Chapter 345: Chapter 272: [Reading] [Sword Gourd Spirit] Breakthrough Together_2

"Your Highness, everything went smoothly."

"That’s good." The Seventh Prince continued, "Since you’re here, everyone is present."

The Seventh Prince stood up, facing the eleven people outside the pavilion.

The eleven individuals rose with him, maintaining a respectful demeanor.

"You were chosen by me from the Thirteen Prefectures of the Great Qin Dynasty, all of you possessing exceptional talents and knowledge."

The Seventh Prince had initially selected fifteen people from the Thirteen Prefectures, but only eleven were present here because four had either died on the way, been captured, or their fates remained unknown.

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness."

The Fifth Prince also stood up at this point, walking in front of everyone, his gaze sweeping over the eleven people without any visible emotion.

Afterward, the two princes exchanged a glance, and palace maids brought forward scrolls.

Each of the eleven people received a scroll.

The palace maids retreated, and then eleven individuals dressed in dark robes approached, each exuding a terrifying aura, clearly experts.

One of them was none other than Zhuge Rui, the Silver Moon Thief, who had previously crossed paths in Lindu County.

"The scrolls contain tasks you must complete," the Fifth Prince said with an intriguing smile, "They will be your personal guards from now on."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eleven Meridian Unlocking Realm experts from the Martial Immortal Alliance stood beside the eleven First-Grade Cold Family members.

Coincidentally, Zhuge Rui, the Silver Moon Thief, did not stand next to his brother Zhuge Chen, but instead approached Chu Ming.

Chu Ming held the scroll, remaining expressionless.

Martial Immortal Alliance, Meridian Unlocking Realm experts, personal guards?

It’s not so easy to join the First-Grade Cold Family.

Having such experts alongside a civil servant implies surveillance and coercion, more adequately described than personal guards.

"You have ten days to investigate the tasks in the scrolls. If clear, you will stay in Qin Capital, remain in the First-Grade Cold Family. If not, return to where you came from."

"Additionally, as learned individuals, you should understand the implications of the First-Grade Cold Family. Henceforth, I do not want to see any external ties."

The Fifth Prince’s cold gaze swept over everyone, the royal presence looming over each head.

The so-called external ties were a warning that once in the First-Grade Cold Family, there should be no connections with Noble Families.

All eleven present held official positions in the Thirteen Prefectures, inevitably associated with some high-ranking officials and nobles.

For instance, Chu Ming and the Xiao Family.

"That’s all." The Fifth Prince sat back down in the pavilion.

"You may leave." The Seventh Prince waved his hand grandly.

The group departed, uneasy.

"Xuu Mu, Zhuge Chen, Chu Ming, stay." The Seventh Prince called for three individuals, and their personal guards stayed as well.

"Serve the tea." The Seventh Prince looked toward the three, and palace maids brought forward tea.

"Thank you, Your Highness." The three received the tea.

"You are the ones I have the highest hopes for, do not disappoint me. Drink up."

All three revealed pleased expressions, raising their cups to drink.

Chu Ming’s movement paused slightly, but he eventually drank the tea.

The joy on his face was feigned, the {Sword Gourd Spirit} closely observed—the tea... had problems!

As the tea went down his throat, he immediately used his Qi and Blood Power to encase it, isolating the tea.

"Go now."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhuge Chen and Xuu Mu seemed unaware of the tea’s issues.

"Chu Ming, hold on." The Seventh Prince called out to Chu Ming again.

"Fifth Brother, I have a few words to say to Chu Ming privately." The Seventh Prince looked at the Fifth Prince.

A flicker of confusion passed through the Fifth Prince’s eyes, but he waved his hand and continued drinking his tea.

"Chu Ming, come with me."

The Seventh Prince led Chu Ming out of the courtyard to a tranquil side chamber.

"Everyone, leave us."

He dismissed all the palace maids and guards, leaving only the Seventh Prince and Chu Ming.

"Are you wondering why I’m meeting with you alone?" The Seventh Prince smiled as he looked at Chu Ming.

Chu Ming feigned a look of fear.

"Among the eleven in the First-Grade Cold Family, you, Xuu Mu, Zhuge Chen are the ones I truly value, but among you three, I favor you the most. Do you know why?"

"I do not know, Your Highness."

"Haha, I don’t know either," the Seventh Prince said with a smile, "Maybe it’s because you’re younger and more promising, or because we crossed paths in Xirong County, or for other reasons..."

"I called you here to discuss a few things."

At this point, the smile faded from the Seventh Prince’s face, replaced by slight seriousness.

"The first and most important thing is that the tea you just drank was poisoned."

Hmm?

Chu Ming’s heart chilled. He hadn’t expected the Seventh Prince to reveal the tea’s toxicity.

"Poisoned tea? Your Highness..." He feigned a look of terror.

"Don’t be afraid. The poison in the tea won’t kill you for now. If you complete the tasks in the scroll, I can ask my eldest brother for an antidote for you."

"... Thank... Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Ming maintained his terrified expression.

"The second thing pertains to the scroll you’re holding, involving a case about corruption in the Ministry of Industry’s Camp Repair Department. Investigate it; the more evidence you find, the better."

"If you obtain incontrovertible evidence of corruption within the Camp Repair Department, my eldest brother will surely provide you with an antidote."

"Furthermore, Fang Xiao, commander of the Seventh Tiger Camp of the Tiger Armor Army, is your relative, isn’t he? Did you come to Qin Capital hoping to meet Fang Xiao?"

"Your Highness..." Chu Ming acted excitedly, though his heart rippled.

Seeing Housekeeper Fang might clarify matters regarding his master.

"I can assure you that if you perform meritously in front of my eldest brother, it’s possible to meet Fang Xiao, even to have Fang Xiao leave the Xiang Family."

"However, be sure not to get too close to the Xiao Family, for reasons I won’t elaborate on."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Ming cupped his hands.

The Seventh Prince nodded slightly and continued, "Did you bring the First-Grade Cold Family’s letter?"

"I brought it." Chu Ming guessed what might follow.